A variety of classes that provide opportunities to get more physically active and fit in 2019 are ongoing at The Andover Hub:  Bone Builders, karate for kids, teens and adults, and yoga. Area residents are invited to check out those that interest them and suggest what else they’d like to see happening at The Hub.  

Bone Builders, the national strength-training and balance exercise program aimed primarily at those 55 and older, has been meeting every Tuesday and Thursday, 9-10 a.m., for a year.  Adults of any age and at all levels of fitness, men as well as women, are welcome to drop in and try this class at any time. If there’s sufficient interest, a late afternoon class may also be offered.

Bone Builders is led by trained community volunteers and is designed to improve bone and muscle strength, balance, circulation and general health, using small hand weights, ankle weights and exercises that can be done sitting or standing.   The class is free, although small donations are gratefully accepted.

A drop-in yoga class with an emphasis on core fitness, flexibility, and stress reduction takes place every Friday, 8:15-9:15 AM.  This class is appropriate for those who are new to yoga as well as those with yoga experience, and is taught by Maris Wofsy of Salisbury.  The fee is $10 per session. Maris is also a certified personal trainer and available to work with individuals, by appointment, at The Hub.

Beginning on Wednesday, January 2, 5:15-6:15 p.m., Maris will also offer a five-week series with the same focus.  If there’s sufficient interest, this class may continue as an ongoing class. The fee is $45 for the series and pre-registration is required.  To register or for questions about yoga, her classes or her work with individuals, contact Maris at maris.wofsy@nullgmail.com.

Karate:  For adults, teens or children age 6 and up who are interested in beginning or continuing karate, Tiger Mountain Shotokan has been teaching classes on Mondays at The Hub for almost a year.  Karate is a traditional Japanese martial art that is studied both to learn self-defense and self-discipline, as well as for fitness and exercise.

A class for kids ages 6 to 8 is offered from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m., kids age 9 through adults meet from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and those with an upper belt can continue until 8 p.m. Classes are offered on an ongoing basis at a charge of $65 per month, and registered students may also attend Tiger Mountain classes in Wilmot and New London at no additional charge.  For further information and to register, call Gayle Fleming at 603-477-3174 or contact Tiger Mountain through FaceBook.

Future possibilities:  The Hub is looking for both a Zumba teacher and someone to teach dance, and asks readers to contact AndoverCommunitySpace@nullgmail.com if they are, or know of someone who might be, interested in teaching either.  Other suggestions are welcome as well.